A Grief Observed

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 6,529 ratings

Price: 6.79

Last update: 03-22-2025


About this item

Written after his wife's tragic death as a way of surviving the "mad midnight moments", A Grief Observed is C.S. Lewis's honest reflection on the fundamental issues of life, death, and faith in the midst of loss. This work contains his concise, genuine reflections on that period: "Nothing will shake a man, or at any rate a man like me, out of his merely verbal thinking and his merely notional beliefs. He has to be knocked silly before he comes to his senses. Only torture will bring out the truth. Only under torture does he discover it himself."

This is a beautiful and unflinchingly honest record of how even a stalwart believer can lose all sense of meaning in the universe, and how he can gradually regain his bearings.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Pocky
    5.0 out of 5 stars lovely book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2025
    It opens your perspective that grief, no matter what it came from, everyone experiences those same devastating feelings and that’s what makes it beautiful. I love the raw honesty. It connects God, love, and grief. Why they go hand in hand
  • John Musgrave
    5.0 out of 5 stars journal more than a book.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2025
    Good read! Enjoyed his journey through grief. It is a journey, not a destination and he shares it well.

    Thanks!
  • K
    4.0 out of 5 stars Poetic, comforting, and insightful
    Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2025
    This is a very personal account of grief but also universal. It helped me process the loss of a loved one
  • Erik Hall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Grief is like a Long Valley
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2023
    "Grief is like a long valley, a winding valley where any bend may reveal a totally new landscape."

    Over the years, I have enjoyed many of Lewis' books. However, this one has always slipped through the cracks. Today, that oversight was corrected.

    Unlike any of his other works which I have read, this one is a journal. A very special journal. Within these pages are Lewis' daily thoughts as he faced the grief of losing his beloved wife to cancer. Moment by moment, the reader is invited into an inner world which few of us discuss honestly. The world of deep heartbreak.

    There is no point in mincing words, reading Lewis' journey of grief is painful. Although the pages are few, I found myself shedding tears more often than any other book I have read excluding the Bible. With brutal honesty, Lewis shares the fear, confusion, pain, anger, and doubt he endured in his grief. Then, into that gloom the light begins to slowly shine again. He concludes with some of the most poignant words on faith, love, and hope which I have ever read as he begins to heal.

    So far, this is the best book on grief which I have read. Admittedly, I have never lost a spouse. So I doubt that I can truly comprehend the depths of Lewis' pain. However, his words were a blessing to me in my own smaller griefs. I am thankful for this little book. If you have experienced loss or trauma, then I believe that this book could be a blessing to you.
  • William D. Curnutt
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for every Christian
    Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2012
    C.S. Lewis gives us a deep glimpse into his soul in "A Grief Observed." Upon the death of his wife he has a very direct conversation (OK shouting match) with God regarding why the love of his life was taken from him. His journal notes regarding the loss of his lovely wife make up the main bulk of this short text.

    We are brought into the very personal loss of C.S. Lewis and his ruminating over the depth of pain that can be felt when you loose a loved one. He found himself often calling out, "Come back, Come back!", only to realize how selfish that request is. He wanted her back for himself, but what pain that would be for her.

    He makes a stark observation when he states, "They call Stephen the first martyr. Hasn't Lazarus the rawer deal?" His point being that at least Stephen died and stayed that way in paradise, but poor Lazarus died, went to paradise but then got called back to live several more years on a corrupt earth. Why can't we let the dead go? Why do we cling to them? Why do we wish they were still with us? Don't they have the better deal?

    After having written "The Problem of Pain," C.S. Lewis comes to realize that he didn't fully understand his topic when he wrote that. He now knows and understands the deep depth of grief and anguish that a person can feel over the loss of a loved one. In a very honest moment he pens, "don't come talking to me about the consolations of religion or I shall suspect that you don't understand." Yet, he acknowledges that he was one of those himself.

    This book is for all who are grieving. It is for those who have lost a loved one and want an honest look into the heart of a Theologian who loves God and how he struggled with grief.

    This might be the best book for any Christian ever to read, digest and understand. It will help you love God more and understand are pain and anguish over loosing a loved one.

    Read well for understanding and encouragement !
  • elizabeth merolle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Grief after the loss of my father
    Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2025
    This made me feel seen throughout my grieving process. It helped me heal. I did not read this all in one sitting as the pain was too strong. I feel like I read it at the same pace as the author wrote it... Following along the grieving journey together. 10/10

    • Best Sellers in

     
     

    Jesus Doesn't Care About Your Messy House: He Cares About Your Heart

    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 5
    16.71
     
     

    The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done

    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 4,059
    13.78
     
     

    Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN

    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,081
    13.78
     
     

    Win the Day: 7 Daily Habits to Help You Stress Less & Accomplish More

    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,923
    15.75
     
     

    8 Secrets to Powerful Manifesting: How to Create the Reality of Your Dreams

    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 742
    11.81
     
     

    The American Story: The Beginnings

    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,928
    17.46
     
     

    Living Fearless: Exchanging the Lies of the World for the Liberating Truth of God

    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,284
    15.04
     
     

    Decrees That Activate the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    0 0 out of 5 stars 0
    14.99